“Trust judges to
exercise discretion” - Law Society
Responding to the news that the
Government has set out plans for mandatory life sentences for
crimes other than murder. Law Society Chief Executive Desmond Hudson
said:
“The Law Society has long
argued against the mandatory life sentence in cases of murder, and
mandatory sentences of imprisonment generally, like those suggested
by the Lord Chancellor for 16 and 17 year olds convicted of knife
crimes.
“While we agree that
Indefinite Sentences for Public Protection are in need of
fundamental reform, to expand the mandatory sentence of life to
even more offences is not the way to do this. Both measures
will erode the sentencing judge's discretion to find the most
appropriate penalty for both the offence and the offender.
Judges should be trusted to exercise their discretion when
sentencing offenders, taking into account Sentencing Guidelines and
the maximum penalty laid down by Parliament.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
For interview requests and media
enquiries please telephone 020 73205902 or emailcatherine.reed@lawsociety.org.uk